Sunday in New York brings a final the World Cup has never seen: Spain against Argentina, for the first time in the tournament’s history. The most complete team of the past month against champions who simply refuse to give up their crown.
Spain’s case is simple: since a goalless opener against Cape Verde they have won six in a row, saving their best for the semi-final — a 2-0 dismantling of France that many called the performance of the tournament. Their first title since 2010 is one win away. Argentina’s answer: character. Twice this knockout stage they have struck in the closing minutes, and victory on Sunday would make them the first nation to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
The individual duel writes itself: Lamine Yamal against Lionel Messi — the first meeting between the two on the international stage. Messi has already rewritten history this summer, overtaking Miroslav Klose as the World Cup’s all-time top scorer (now on 21), and he sits level with Kylian Mbappé on eight goals in this tournament’s Golden Boot race — one he can settle on the biggest stage of all.
Kick-off: Sunday 19 July, New York New Jersey Stadium, 8pm UK time.